The city of Ajmer lies in the heart of Rajasthan, some 130 km west of Jaipur. Literally an oasis surrounded by the rocky Aravalli hills Ajmer is a major tourist destination because of its eventful history, spiritual sites and the neighbouring village of Pushkar. Witness to the rise and fall of several kingdoms, Ajmer's history tells the tales of great romances, heroism and valour. The social fabric in Ajmer is a truly secular one with both Hindus and Muslims cutting across religious divides to revere its holy land. The Dargah of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, located at the end of a dusty alley in the main market, makes Ajmer an important pilgrim centre for Muslims from all parts of the world and Pushkar is the abode of Lord Brahma, which devout Hindus aspire to visit at least once in their lifetime. As an important tourist destination the ins and outs of travel in Ajmer are well documented in many a tourist guide.

History

Ajmer was founded by Rajput chieftain Ajayapal Chauhan, who also built first hill fort in India, the Tara Garh. He named the place Ajaimeru means invincible hill. Ajmer was Chauhan stronghold till 1194. It was during the region of Prithviraj, in 1191, that Muhammad of Ghori invaded in India. Prithviraj died fighting the sultan's army, and with the establishment of the sultanate in Delhi, a new era began. Ajmer remained under the Sultanate till 1326. Thereafter it became a bone of contention between the sultans of Delhi, the Ranas of Mewar, the Rathores of Marwar and the Sultans of Gujarat. Peace was restored with the accession of Akbar to the Mughal throne in 1556. He made Ajmer a full fledged province and the base for his operations in Rajputana. Akbar used it as the headquarters for his vitally important operations in Rajasthan. It was here, a generation later, that the first British Ambassador, Sir Thomas Roe, had an historic meeting with Emperor Jahangir in 1615, and it was here, half a century later, that the critical battle between the Mughals crown prince, Dara Shukoh, and the usurper, was fought. Later Emperor, Aurangzeb, took place. In the 19th century, Ajmer became a little British enclave, from where the British Chief Commissioner for Rajputana kept and eagle eye on all the Rajput Kingdoms. Today Ajmer is, frankly, not the most charming of towns, unlike its hayday in the 17th century when it was Emperor Shah Jahan pleasure resort. There are also various buildings of historical interest to visit here. In 1818, finally the Marathas ceded Ajmer to Sir David Ochterlony and, as part of the British Empire; it remained under the care of successive superintendents. In 1947, with the reorganization of the princely states Ajmer became a part of Rajasthan.